A Delaware State University undergraduate student and his wife have been selected to be among a group of top interns that will serve as ambassadors for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Bryan E. Greenly, a junior physics major at DSU, and his wife Tommi Barrett-Greenly, a University of Delaware graduate majoring in education technology, have found a way to do an educational experience together despite being at different institutions..
The couple – who were married in May 2009 – found that a love for science was one of the things they had in common. Mr. Greenly said his wife got him interested in NASA after she found out about internship opportunities with the space agency.
“So we both applied for the summer 2009 session – we were both accepted,” Mr. Greenly said. “We picked up the whole family and spent the summer in Hampton, Va.”
The DSU physics major said it was during the summer internship that they were informed of opportunity to become NASA ambassadors.
“We decided to both apply because we are into NASA’s objective and what they are trying to achieve for the United States,” Mr. Greenly said. “NASA does so many things that people don’t even hear about.”
He said that being an advocate for NASA is something that comes naturally to them. “It is something we feel, that NASA is the coolest thing in the world,” he said.
As two of the 105 NASA ambassadors selected nationwide, the couple will do presentations in the Delmarva region, work at job fairs for the agency and conduct other outreach endeavors for the space agency.
In addition to her graduate studies, Mrs. Barrett-Greenly is a teacher at the Morris Early Childhood Center in Lincoln, Del., where she has been named the 2010 Milford School District Teacher of the Year.

Delaware State University is currently featuring the weaving tapestry works of Dr. Hazel Bradshaw-Beaumont in an exhibition entitled “Tones & Tapestry” in its Arts Center/Gallery located in the William Jason Library on campus.
The exhibition – which will be on display until March 17 – is free and open to the public. In addition, the public is also invited, free of cost, to a reception honoring the artist from 4-6 p.m. March 11 in Arts Center/Gallery.
The 19-work exhibition is comprised of hanging tapestry creations by Dr. Hazel Bradshaw-Beaumont, a DSU associate professor of art. She says her attraction to the weaving process is based in its spontaneity as well as the excitement of transforming humble yarn and mixed media into breathtaking structures and textures with use of color.
Dr. Hazel Bradshaw-Beaumont with her tapestry work Reflections.
“My inspirations include the natural elements and the materials themselves. And the patterns of land forms and the atmospheric elements also play a role in color and mood,” Dr. Bradshaw-Beaumont said. “My joy in weaving allows me to explore color relationships – whether bold contrasts or tone-on-tone shadings – that test the edge of visual perception.”
Dr. Bradshaw-Beaumont said most of the techniques she uses are contemplative and encouraging introspection, while other processes are spontaneous and unpredictable. “I am looking for images and colors that transform and represent things that make me free,” she said.
A DSU faculty member since 2003, Dr. Bradshaw-Beaumont was named as the 2009 Eastern Regional Higher Education Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association. A native of Jamaica, she has a Ph.D. in Art Education from Ohio State University. In addition to teaching, she has authored and presented numerous papers on Caribbean art education and other art-related topics.

Standard & Poor’s, a top national credit rating agency, has affirmed that Delaware State University continues to maintain an A+ credit rating.
According to Standard & Poor’s recent assessment of the institution, the A+ rating reflects that DSU has a strong leadership team that keeps the University focused on its strategic plan. The assessment also noted the University’s modest debt burden of 3.5% of 2009 expenses with no addition debt planned.
“It signifies the confidence of people who conduct an extensive evaluation on our financial management,” said DSU President Harry L. Williams. “To get an A+ rating in these tough economic times says a lot about our financial managers and the transparency of the institution.”
Marvin Lawrence, DSU Board of Trustees member and chair of the board’s Finance Committee, said that while the University works hard to continually assess its financial system, it is also great encouragement to receive such validation from a top outside agency.
“We are elated to have received this credit rating, and it is really a reflection of DSU’s financial staff,” Mr. Lawrence said. “They work hard to manage the financial aspects of the University and keep the institution on point.”
Standard & Poor’s has been designated by the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

The English and Foreign Languages Department at Delaware State University is now offering a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). Classes are now being offered at the main campus in Dover.
The university also invites prospective students to apply for the TESL program that will be available at the DSU Georgetown site beginning fall 2010.
The program, which was approved last year by the Delaware Department of Education and the Delaware State University Board of Trustees, is designed specifically for teachers interested in giving instruction in English as a second language.
“The Master of Arts in TESL Program promises to be another locus of productive partnership between DSU, the state, and the region,” said Dr. Abdul Aziz-Diop, former chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages
Teachers and non-teachers interested in the program can register for two courses in the fall, two courses in the spring, two courses for summer session I, and two courses for summer session II. The program leads to certification and is designed for completion in two years. It prepares candidates to teach English as a second language in many settings, including K-12 schools, colleges and universities in the United States and abroad, and adult education programs anywhere in the world.
Limited scholarships are available through the Department of English and Foreign Languages. Prospective candidates can also apply for the Teach Grant scholarship program that awards up to $4,000 a year to students seeking degrees to teach in high-need fields. For more information on the Teach Grant program, please contact Michelle Rush at (302) 857-6742, or email her at drush@desu.edu.
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For more information on the TESL program, contact Dr. Andrew Blake at (302) 857-6566 or e-mail him at ablake@desu.edu.
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Ernestine Crump, played by DSU student Jacqueline Smith (right), converses with Gerte (played by Dragana Jankovic), during scene of Crumbs from the Table of Joy that will be performed March 24-26.

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Delaware State University will present the Lynn Nottage play Crumbs From The Table Of Joy during three 7:30 p.m. performances Wednesday thru Friday, March 24-26 in the Education & Humanities Building on campus.
The 1950s-period two-act play is free and open to the public.
Directed by Dr. Donald Brown, the production features a five-member cast – a mix of DSU students, staff and community actors. The story takes place during the 1950s in Brooklyn and follows a year in the life of the Crump family – a religious widower and his two daughters – after they moved to the Big Apple from Florida.
Godfrey "Goodness" Crumb, played by Carlos Holmes (top), and Ermina Crump, played by DSU student Crystal Ingram, rehearse a scene from Crumbs from the Table of Joy.
While still dealing with the culture shock of living in the populous New York City, the family’s life is further complicated by the arrival of the deceased mother’s sister – the militant and amoral Lily, creating an unwanted sexual tension for Godfrey “Goodness” Crump, the widowed family patriarch.
The family is thrown for an additional loop when Godfrey suddenly enters into an unlikely marriage that provokes the ire of Lily and the discomfort of his daughters. The story is told through the eyes and narration of the oldest daughter Ernestine, who is to become the first Crump family high school graduate that year.
“The play tells a story that takes place just after War World II and just prior to the initial push of the civil rights movement,” said Dr. Brown. “The plot deals with pointed issues in race relations.”
The play features Carlos Holmes as Godfrey “Goodness” Crump, Sylvia Carson as his sister-in-law Lily and Dragana Jankovic as his wife, Gerte. DSU students Jacqueline Smith and Crystal Ingram portray his daughters “Darling” Ernestine and “Devout” Ermina, respectively.

Delaware State University’s Blue Ribbon Commission will hold a series of public forums in each of the state’s three counties to help it develop a fresh new vision for the University’s future.
DSU President Harry Lee Williams says that it is important for the citizens of Delaware to embrace and participate in this new DSU initiative that will lay a roadmap for its future success.
“Delaware State University belongs to the state of Delaware, and it is therefore important for the institution to have the input of its citizenry to help it become a premier institution of higher education in the country,” Dr. Williams said. “In doing so, the residents of the state will also share in the greatness that will result from DSU’s earnest work to become one of the best universities for students to fulfill their academic and professional aspirations.”
The public can attend any of the forums, which will be held from 6-8 p.m. on the following dates:
Kent County – Monday, March 29 in Parlours A-C of the Martin Luther King Student Center on the DSU campus, 1200 N. DuPont Highway in Dover
Sussex County – Tuesday, April 13 at the Warren L. and Charles Allen Jr. CHEER Community Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown.
New Castle County – Thursday, April 15 at the NCCo Chamber of Commerce, 12 Penns Way, New Castle.
President Williams established the Blue Ribbon Commission in January and has directed the group to complete is work in crafting a new vision for the University by the end of May 2010. The group is also charged with developing a set of values to help drive excellence.
The co-chairs of the 14-member commission are Dr. Dyremple B. Marsh, dean of the DSU College of Agriculture and Related Sciences, and Wayne Gilchrest, a retired U.S. Congressman from Maryland. They are joined by a diverse group that represents the faculty, staff, students and alumni of DSU, as well as state and federal government, public school system and the business community.
In addition, each member of Delaware’s Congressional Delegation – U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper, U.S. Sen. Ted Kaufman and U.S. Rep. Michael N. Castle – is serving as honorary co-chairs of the Commission.
For more information on the Blue Ribbon Commission and the full list of its members, go to www.desu.edu/dsu-president-names-blue-ribbon-commission.

Delaware State University has expanded its collaboration with institutions in the People’s Republic of China with the signing this week of a new agreement with Jishou University.
DSU President Harry Lee Williams and Jishou University President You June signed the agreement on March 22 during a meeting on the DSU campus.
The agreement establishes a “2 plus 2” program, in which Chinese students will complete their first two years of undergraduate studies at Jishou University and then finish their last two years at DSU. The agreement will involve students majoring in business and management related disciplines.
The accord between the two countries specifies 20 courses Chinese students must complete at Jishou University as well as the courses that they will take at DSU. Many of the courses will come under DSU’s College of Business.
Before enrolling at DSU, the Chinese students must successfully complete an English training class at Jishou University.
“It is another step in the right direction for DSU in terms of global outreach,” said Dr. Williams. “In addition to benefiting Jishou University, it will benefit our faculty, staff and students as well as the state of Delaware.”

The DSU Concert Choir made an impressive mark at the Delaware General Assembly on March 23 when it performed before legislators in the House of Representatives Chamber. Directed by Dr. Curtis Everett Powell, the choir sang “In Bright Mansions” by Roland Carter, “In His Care-O” by William Dawson, and “The Battle of Jericho” by Moses Hogan. The legislators responded with a standing ovation. DSU President Harry Lee Williams was in attendance and sat with Speaker of the House Robert F. Gilligan during the performance.

The Crossroad Christian Church Gospel Choir is the first winner of what is expected to be an annual DSU Sunday Best Gospel Extravaganza.

DVDs of "Sunday Best at DSU: A Gospel Extravaganza" are available for $15 each (including shipping), and may be ordered today. Click here to order DVD.

Proceeds benefit student scholarships.

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CROSSROAD CHRISTIAN CHURCH CHOIR WINS DSU’s SUNDAY’S BEST GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA COMPETITION
DSU’s first ever “Sunday’s Best” Gospel Extravaganza Competition rocked the campus’ E&H Theatre on March 27 with the high praise and music of three outstanding music ministries, ending with the 1st place honors going to the Crossroad Christian Church Gospel Choir of Dover.
The Crossroads Choir, one of three finalist choirs, won the top spot with its powerful performance of a medley of songs that included “Something About the Name of Jesus,” “My Life is in Your Hands” and “Wrap Me in Your Arms.” The winning choir is under the direction of James Brumble.
As the 1st place winner, the Crossroad Choir took the grand prize of $1,000 check back to their church. Each of the finalists also received a $100 gift certificate.
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Canaan Baptist Church Choir of Wilmington took 2nd place with its stirring performances of “Praise Ye the Lord” and the old school gospel rendition of “I’ve Got a Reason. The Canaan Choir is under the direction of Dr. Arvis Strickling-Jones.
The Straight Gate Youth Choir of Shiloh Apostolic Church of Wilmington took 3rd place with its impressive a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment) singing. Under the direction of Sherine Boswell, Straight Gate performed the songs "Jesus We Give You the Glory” and “Be Magnified O Lord.”
In the competition held exclusively for Delaware-based choirs, the three finalists were each allotted a 10-minute performance during the Saturday evening gospel extravaganza.
In addition to the competition finalist, the gospel-loving audience was brought to their feet by the featured guest artist, 2010 Stellar Award nominee Coco McMillan. Her rousing performance was highlighted by her singing, her personal testimony and heartfelt expressions of praise for what the Lord has done in her life.
The audience was also impressed by two instrumental selections by Eldré Gladney, a 10-year-old guitarist from Crossroad Christian Church, and a solo dance ministry performance by Tiffany Stokes of the Resurrection Praise Dance Team of Dover. Following the invocation prayer by Rev. John Moore, youth minister of Calvary Baptist Church of Dover, the music evening was kicked off with an opening selection by the University’s own DSU Gospel Choir.
The Sunday’s Best mistress of ceremonies was Brenda Farmer, director of DSU Events and Ceremonies.
The proceeds from the Sunday’s Best event are going toward academic scholarships for DSU students. The gospel extravaganza’s planning committee was led by Charity Shockley, director of the DSU Annual Fund.